5. It's a Samurai Film
Based on what we know so far of The Dark Knight Rises, it's a fairly short jump to suggesting that the film draws a lot of thematic and narrative references from the Samurai genre. Batman is certainly driven by the same moral conflicts that underpin certain Samurai films, and specifically the conflict of ninjo and giri (or duty and conscience), though in his case, his duty is to inaction (thanks to the Harvey Dent murders) and his conscience is clearly to action, as opposed to the traditional Samurai film dynamic. In both Samurai genre and Nolan's Bat-trilogy we also have persistent ideas of symbolism, a Bushido-like moral code, ideas of reputation and even more fundamentally the explicit relationship between warrior and weapon (every tool in Batman's armoury comes with its own Bat- prefix after all). And then there's the issue of vengeance - not merely for Bruce Wayne's parents, or Dent, or Racgel, but for a loss that specifically occurs within the Dark Knight Rises' timeline. Not necessarily a death, per se, but we did get to see Gordon in a hospital bed way back when the first footage was released... And of course, death plays a major part in the cinema of Samurai. Although the protagonist's death isn't an essential or necessary part of every Samuria film, death as a general theme is invariably an important presence. The idea of honour in death is an inherent part of the Samurai code, and it would be a particularly fitting conclusion for Batman, considering how he was forced to turn his back on his duty to Gotham. Batman could be the ultimate example of the warrior driven to Harakiri, his sense of duty and honour compelling him to enter a suicidal conflict that he fears he cannot win against a seemingly impenetrable foe. Honour suicide by Bane: it would certainly be fitting. As an interesting side-note, the arc of the Nolan trilogy actually parallels the gensis of Samurai cinema - the earliest offerings focusing more on drama rather than action (Batman Begins), and post World War II Samurai films focused much more on action, with darker and increasingly more violent characters (The Dark Knight). Then later films increasingly focused on masterless ronin, and the end of their way of life, presenting psychologically or physically scarred warriors, against the backdrop of extreme and bloody battles (The Dark Knight Rises). In that context, the death of Batman would make even more sense to the Samurai parallel. So what are your thoughts? DO you believe Batman should be spared? Or do you agree that killing off this iteration of the character would be a good idea? Let us know your thoughts below... The Dark Knight Rises is released to cinemas on 20th July.